Namco Bandai Announces Free-To-Play Ridge Racer Game

This new racing title will be coming to
PlayStation 3 and PC sometime in 2013, and will be free-to-play, with the usual
focus on in-game microtransactions.

The news came in a press release from Namco
Bandai, which contains scant details about the project, entitled Ridge Racer
Driftopia.

As you might expect, the game features a lot
of...drifting, and will seek to monetize the experience through unspecified
in-game purchases. Obviously, in a racing game, new tracks, cars, and upgrades
seem to be logical choices.

Calson Choi, vice president of marketing and
digital sales at Namco Bandai, said, "The free-to-play and digital gaming space
presents an incredible opportunity for Namco Bandai Games to offer its
illustrious roster of titles to a new and ever expanding audience. We're
excited to have Ridge Racer Driftopia take Namco Bandai into this constantly
growing sector."

Note: The screenshot above is NOT a
shot from the new game. We've reached out to Namco Bandai about getting art and
screens assets.